Table of contents
- List of materials and preparatory work
- Laying in the garden
- Insert extension piece
- fix the problem
- Instructions for a raised bed
- material list
- Assembly
- Modification for a stone raised bed
- After completion
- Conclusion
In the daily struggle with voracious snails, plagued hobby gardeners now have the opportunity to upgrade their arsenal with a pesticide that is as effective as it is environmentally friendly. While chemical preparations are undesirable in a garden close to nature, ecologically oriented methods, such as the beer trap, reveal some weaknesses. The snail fence made of plastic or sheet metal has so far achieved at least partial success. Nevertheless, the clever slugs found ways and means of overcoming them. Perfected to the electric snail fence, the pests now have much worse cards to attack your lovingly tended plants. You can use these instructions to build an electric snail fence yourself.
List of materials and preparatory work
The concept is based on the idea that conductive adhesive tape with cables attached to it is attached to a plastic lawn edge. Electrical pulses are emitted from a power source that deter, but do not kill, slugs. Thanks to a standard length of 9 meters, a classic bed can be completely demarcated. The practical construction can be expanded for larger areas without much effort. Ideally, a control device is added that indicates too low voltage or interruptions in the current flow. These materials are required:
- A plastic lawn edge with a height of 10 or 15 centimetres
- Self-adhesive aluminum tape with a width of 6 millimeters
- Control unit with 9-volt battery, plug-in power pack or solar module
- VA screws in 8 millimeters with washers
- Scissors, spatula, screwdriver
Glue the aluminum tape in two strips to the edge of the lawn. The distance is 5 millimeters. No creases should form. If the tape tears in the heat of the moment, you can tape the tear again without further ado. The current will still flow.
Tip:
As soon as the lawn edge has been stuck with the aluminum tape, it must no longer be subjected to stress, such as buckling or bending. Even the smallest cracks impede the flow of electricity and result in a time-consuming search for the damaged area.
Laying in the garden
In the run-up to the laying work, the mechanical and electrical connection points on the snail fence are prepared. The control module is attached to the side that is not covered with the aluminum strips. The impulse lines and input lines are connected by screws to the tapes on the opposite side. It is very important to note that the conductive aluminum strips do not touch at the connection point between the two ends of the fence. Then you start laying in the garden. Here's how to do it:
- Use the spatula to dig a 3 centimeter deep trench around the bed to be protected
- Use the electric snail fence
- Fill the cavities with soil and press down to stabilize
Finally, connect the two ends together and the LED indicator should now light up. If the green light pulses at intervals of 4-5 seconds, everything went according to regulations.
Tip:
A solar module with battery only works in a sunny spot in the bed.
Insert extension piece
If the 9 meters of a lawn edge are not enough to enclose the bed area, another segment can be added without any problems. The aluminum strips are 3-4 centimeters longer at the ends and are glued to the back so that they are exactly opposite the strips on the front. If necessary, shorten the lawn edge with scissors at the desired point. The ends to be connected are placed on top of each other and connected through the aluminum strips using the screws and washers. The electrical connection is now established.
fix the problem
If the LED lamp on the electric snail fence lights up red after the installation is complete, the current flow within the aluminum strip is interrupted. How to locate the damaged area:
- A standard LED bulb is required
- Use the two small pegs to touch the impulse lines
- If the polarization is correct, the LED lamp lights up
- If it does not blink, it will be flipped over and will now light up
Now move step by step along the aluminum strip to locate the break point. As soon as the light goes out, you are in the immediate vicinity of the damaged area. Experience has shown that this can now be seen with the naked eye. Clean the sector with white spirit and stick a new aluminum strip about 5 centimeters long over it. If the electric snail fence has been doing its job to your satisfaction for some time, the red lamp signals a short circuit. This is usually caused by traces of slime from the snails. The dirt can be recognized by the green discoloration on the silver adhesive strips. Cleaned with a damp cloth, smooth functioning is quickly restored.
Tip:
Dismantle the control unit in good time before winter and store it in a dry, frost-free room.
Instructions for a raised bed
They enjoy great popularity in the hobby garden because they allow a very comfortable and back-friendly way of working. Unfortunately, raised beds do not prevent snails from feasting on the plants there. Since an electric snail fence based on the concept for a classic bed does not work here, a practicable alternative is available.
material list
- Conductive plastic tape with a width of 10 millimeters
- Controller with 9 volt battery, plug-in power supply or solar panel
- wood screws and washers
- Scissors, staple gun or hot glue
The special plastic strap is interwoven with filigree metal wires so that it can be flexibly adapted to any desired shape. If a plug-in power supply is used, it must be protected from rain and splashing water by a plastic cover.
Assembly
Ideally, you attach the electric snail fence to a raised bed before assembling it. Retrospective assembly is nevertheless also possible. How to do it right:
- Glue the plastic tape in two parallel strips in the upper area of the raised bed
- The distance between the tracks is 1-3 millimeters
- Where the ends meet, they must not touch
- Screw the controller to the raised bed
- Also screw the lines on the plastic straps with the washers
In the final step, connect the power source and meticulously check all functions. We recommend attaching a strip along the upper edge of the raised bed so that rainwater is kept away from the electric snail fence.
Tip:
When stapling the plastic strap, place the staples between the wires or on the edge. A severed wire renders the entire construction unusable.
Modification for a stone raised bed
Proud owners of a brick raised bed do not have to do without the protection of their plants with an electric snail fence. They use a resourceful combination of the snail fence for a bed at ground level and a raised bed. In this case, simply place the lawn edge along the inner edge of the raised bed. The assembly itself follows the same concept as for the classic bed.
After completion
Once the electric snail fence has been installed and is working smoothly, there is still one precautionary measure to be taken in the first few days. If a bed that has already been planted has been fenced in, one or the other pest may have hidden in it. Therefore, put out some lettuce leaves as bait in the evening to collect the last snails in the light of a flashlight after dark.
Conclusion
With an electric snail fence, plagued hobby gardeners get the upper hand in the fight against the voracious pests. Should all previous ecological and chemical control methods fail, this uncomplicated concept now promises a breakthrough. Nature-loving gardeners will be pleased to note that the snails are not killed, only deterred by small electric shocks. The assembly itself can be done without extensive manual experience, as long as these instructions are heeded. The individual components are available in any well-stocked hardware store for little money. Those who opt for a solar module are even spared follow-up costs due to power consumption. Good to know that the electric snail fence can not only be installed in the classic garden bed, but also works in raised beds with small modifications. Instructions: Build your own electric snail fence
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